The 91st Bury and West Suffolk Tennis Tournament took place last week at Culford School’s Tennis Centre in glorious summer sunshine.

East Anglian Daily Times: Culford under 18 finalists Asa Sumner-Keens, left, and Samuel Winter, with Susan Glasswell. Picture: SUSAN GLASSWELLCulford under 18 finalists Asa Sumner-Keens, left, and Samuel Winter, with Susan Glasswell. Picture: SUSAN GLASSWELL (Image: Archant)

Chair of the tournament Susan Glasswell said the event had been excellent, with around 171 players taking part in all categories from 8 and under through to Open events in the Grade 4 tournament, which hosted 370 matches over the week and was named regional winner of the Aegon British Tennis Awards last year,

She added that the standard of play was high, with the weather kind, and everyone enjoyed the new “Speed of Serve” competition which was recently introduced.

A good dose of healthy rivalry ensured that this was a resounding success. Try as they might, in the over 15 category parents and even coaches failed to top the leaderboard, leaving 15-year-old Mason Bickers the outright winner with a service speed of 163 km/h, just 10 km/h slower than British number one Johanna Konta’s best ever effort.

Mason’s 20-year-old sister Claudia took the girl’s prize, while two 11-year-olds served the fastest in the Under 14 category, Ashton Boswell hitting at 147 km/h and Louwna Hendricks 117 km/h for the girls.

On Saturday Finals Day it was a triple win for Asa Sumner-Keens from Risbygate Tennis Club who won the Mens Open, Mens 18 and under and Mens Open Doubles with partner Marco Mitev-Will, meanwhile at the other end of the spectrum William Lamb won the Mini Tennis Red U8 mixed competition.

Susan added a big thank you to all the hardworking committee members – Susie Cairns, Diane Rix, Lucy Wright, Gary King and Alastair Passey.

Referees were Tom McArdle and Kevin Starkey and Assistant Referee was Richard Smith. There was also special thanks to Ashton Pepper of Culford School for organising the Mini Events.

She also thanked the main sponsors Glasswells, Culford, Ensors, Greene & Greene, Wildtracks, Towergate Insurance, Highfield Events and Top Spin Tennis, saying without their support the tournament would not be able to take place.